Cloth laying machine



l. KRASSNER 2,148,375

CLOTH LAYING MACHINE Feb. 2l, 1939.

Filed Feb. 5,1938 4 sheetsLsheet 1 f l INVENTOR 1 ,00 w 'Z6' [r1/mg Kr'asner ORNEYS f Tala. "M'fmgemm Feb. 21, 1939. KRAssNER 2,148,375

CLOTH LAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR [r1/ing hr'assner TTORNEYS Feb. 21, 1,939. l, RRASSNER 2,148,375

CLOTH LAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1938 i 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ticil.

l. KRASSNER CLOTH LAYING MACHINE Feb. 21,1939.

4 SheetS--Sheel 4 Filed Feb. 5, 1938 l {NVENTOR [rz/mg Kr'aSSner' '9W' TORNEY Patented Feb. 21, 1939 PATENT GFFICE- CLOTH LAYING MACHINE Irving Krassner, Newark', N. J., assignor of onethird t Irving A. Winter, Woodmere, N. Y., and

one-third to Julius Drittel, Elizabeth, N. J.

Application February 5, 1938, Serial No. 188,921

15 Claims.

The present invention relates to cloth laying machines and comprises an improved machine of that character which is fully automatic, efficient and safe in operation.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of a control circuit for the machine which permits the machine to be stopped at any point in its travel and to resume operation in either direction from that point.

Another feature of the invention is the pro- Y vision of means for automatically stopping the machine and giving a signal when the cloth fed by the machine runs out. A

A further feature of the invention comprises improved means for holding the material tobe laid, which means insures better alignment of the edges of the cloth during laying and conserves time when the machine needs replenishing. Other features of the invention include means for preventing jarring of the machine at either end of its travel under certain operating condif,

tions.

These and other novel features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Of the drawings: i

Fig. l is a side view of an automatic cloth laying machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram of the control circuit;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a view of the machine of Fig. l taken from the other side thereof;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale illustrating the operating mechanism for certainv cut-out switches;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an alternate arrangement of the control mechanism; and taken along the line 1--1 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic side view of the machine of Fig. '1 with certain parts omitted for simplicity.

The machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive comprises a carriage 2 which moves back and forth upon an elongated table 4. The carriage 2 comprises a framework of four cross bars 6 secured at opposite ends to panels 8, a pair of stub axles I8 rotatably mounted in the panels 8 and carrying wheels il and I2. Wheels Il are grooved and travel on a rail I4 extending the length of the table 4. Wheels I2 are rubber tired and travel directly upon the table. The cross bars 6, as well as all other cross members of the machine are telescopic to permit variation in the width of the carriage. An open topped box I6 for holding the material to be laid, rests upon the bars 6. The box I6 is open at one side to accommodate materials of different width and has a relatively high side wall I1 along which the edge of the material is laid when the box is filled. A pair of upright members i8 secured to the panels 8 carry a guide bar` 28 over which the cloth 2| passes as it is drawn from the box I6. The material after passage over bar 28 passes between two pair of guide rollers 22 and 24. Each pair of rollers 22 and 24 are made adjustable as to the distance between individual rolls and relative position thereof to adjust the tension according to the thickness of material being laid. Guide bars 22 are mounted on the panels. 8 while bars 24 are mounted on plates 26 which in turn are pivotally carried on the ends of lever arms 21 and 28. The other ends of levers 21 are pivotally mounted on panels 8 and the other ends of levers 28 are mounted on a cross bar 28 journaled in panels 8 (see Figs. 3 and 5). Cross bar-29 is made of two parts, one of which is square in cross section and ts telescopingly within a square recess of the other part to permit oi joint rotation about their common axis. One lever 28, near its mid point, is pivoted to a rod 38 which is screw-threaded to a plunger 32 vertically movable in a sleeve 34 and carrying a roller 36 at its lower end. At opposite ends of the table 4 are cam members 38 and 38a comprising rails upon which roller 36 rides when the carriage is near either end of the table. The consequent raising of lever 28 by the rod 38Iand plunger. 32 when the roller 3B rides up on the cam 38, rotates bar 28 and lifts the rolls 24 so that they clear the material holding mechanism on the table and now to be described. 'This mechanism comprises a pair of right angle fingers 48 which are secured at one end by set screws 4l kand pass through slots in upstanding members 42 mounted onsliding plates 43. When the carriage nears the end of its travel, inwardly extending ngers 46 (see Fig. 3) engage vertical pins 41 on the sliding plates 43 which cause the holding fingers 48 to swing outwardly to release the last fold of the material. When pins 46 and 41 are again out of engagement the fingers 48 swing back into position to engage and hold the newly made fold of material. At the other end of the table 4 operation of fingers 48a,v is effected by direct engagement oi the sliding plates 43a with an abutting surface 45 on the carriage. To permit of different lengths of travel of the carriage,

the table is mounted adjustably as by clamps 49 (see Fig. 4). The cam member 38a should be adjustably mounted on the rail |4 for the same reason.

Except for the box I6, the machine so far described, including the operating mechanism at the ends of the table is substantially of the type heretofore manually operated. The new control mechanism, which makes the'machine completely automatic and increases its output, together with the new constructional features for cooperation therewith will now be described. As shown best in Figs. 1 and 2, the control mechanism includes a motor 48 which through suitable gear reduction 50, drives the wheels of the carriage by chains 52 passing around suitable sprockets secured to the wheels I2. A panel 54 mounted on one panel 8 carries, as a unit, substantially all of the various control relays and automatic switches. These devices include a relay A, which when the machine is operating, is normally energized, and which controls the circuits of the forward and reverse magnetic switches of the motor; a relay B, normally deenergized and which when energized, opens the circuit of relay A, causes an application of the brake and gives an audible or visual signal as desired; forward and reverse magnetic switches C and D, only one of which is energized at a time, for controlling the direction of operation of the motor and limit switches E and F which control the circuits of magnetic switches C and D and operate at the extremities of travel of the carriage upon engagement with upstandng cam members on the table 4. In Fig. 1 the cam meinber for operating limit switch E is shown at 56. It will be understood that a similar device, adjustably mounted at the other end of the table operates limit switch F. Four manual switches of the push button type and labeled Start, Stop, Forward, Reverse are mounted on a panel 58 on the other side of the carriage from panel 54 (see Fig. 4). Additional elements of the control circuit are an electric brake comprising a pair of pivoted members mounted on the drive shaft 59 of the motor (see Fig. 4) and biased by a spring 60 into braking position and a solenoid 6| normally energized through a back contact on relay B and holding the brake members out of braking position; a normally open feeler contact switch 62 in the circuit of relay B which closes when material ceases to pass over the guide roll 20; two cut-out switches 64 and 66 of which the former is in series with the feeler switch 62 and is opened only when the carriage is at one end or the other of the table and the latter of which is in parallel with normally closed contacts of the Stop switch and is closed only when the carriage is at one end or the other of the table. The movablemernbers of switches 64 and 66 are mounted on a plunger 68 (see Fig. 5) which is raised when roller 36 rides on the cam rail 38. The purpose of switches 64 and 66 is to prevent deenergization of relay A while the carriage-is at either end of the table. either automatically as bythe closure of the feeler contact switch, or manually as by pressing of the Stop switch. Deenergization of relay A at such time might cause undesirable jarring of the carriage when it reaches the end of its run.

As shown best in Fig. 3, the feeler contact switch 62 comprises a strip 10 of conducting material insulatedly mounted on bar 20 and a flexiblev conducting member 12 which, when no material passes over the bar 20, makes contact with the strip 10. v

The circuits of the various parts will now be given in detail with reference to Fig. 2. The ciris from power line L1 through armature 49 and front contacts of magnetic switch C, overload heater 14 to one winding of motor 48 and back to power line la through wire l5 and another armature 5| and front contacts of switch C; the other winding of the motor 48 being connected to power line La through an armature 1l and front contacts of switch C and overload heater 16. When the winding of switch C is deenergized and that of switch D energized, the above circuits are broken at the front contacts of switch C and power line L1 is connected through iront contacts of switch D and heater 16 with the motor winding formerly connected with La, similarly L3 is now connected through front contacts of switch D and heater 14 with the motor winding formerly connected with L1 and the return circuit of the motor is connected to Lz through wire 'l5 and a third pair Y`of front contacts of switch D. As relay A controls the circuits of the windings of both magnetic switches C and D, its circuit will be described next. One side of relay A is connected directly to power line La through wires 18, 'I9 and heater switch 80; the other side of the relay being connected through armature 82 and cooperating back contacts of the normally de-energized relay B, lower contacts 84 of the manual switch Start, and top contacts 86 of the manual Stop switch to power line Lz by way of wires 81, 88, 89 and 90.

A stick circuit for relay A is provided by a shunt about contacts 84 of the Start button, which shunt includes armature 92 and front contacts of relay A.

Closure of the circuit of relay A by the Start button prepares the circuit of the forwardl and reverse magnetic switches C and D for manial 'cuit for motor 48 when operating in one direction closure by the respective Forward and Reverse button switches, the circuit of switch C being from power line L3, heater switch 80, wire 19 to the winding of switch C, wire 94 through the normally closed contacts 96 of limit switch F, wires 98 and |00 to the lower contacts |02 of the Forward button switch, wire |04 and normally closed upper contacts |06 of the manual Reverse button switch, wire |08, armature ||0 and front contacts of relay A, wires 88, 89 and 90 to power line L2.

A stick circuit for the winding of switch C is provided by a shunt about contacts |02 of the Forward button switch, which shunt includes armature ||2 of switch C. An alternative pick-up for the winding of switch C is provided by a second shunt about contacts |02 of the Forward button switch, which shunt includes the normally open contacts ||4 of the limit switch E. Contacts ||4 are bridged when a depending roller arm ||6 (see Fig. 1) of the linut switch E rides up on the cam surface 56 adiacent an end of the table 4. The subsequent opening of these contacts |4 does not deenergize thecoil C because of the stick circuit provided by armature ||2.

The circuit for reverse magnetic switch D is similar to that above described for switch C, the circuit being from power line L3, heater switch 80, wire 19 to the winding of switch D and from that to the normally closed contacts |22 of the limit switch E, wires |24 and |26 to the lower contacts |28 of the Reverse button switch, wire |30 and normally closed upper contacts |32 of the Forward button switch, wire |34, armature |36 and front contacts of relay A, wires 88, 89 and 90 to power line 1a. A stick circuit forming a shunt about contacts |28 of the Reverse button switch includes armature |38 of coil D and an alternative pick-up for the circuit is provided by a second shunt about contacts |28 through the normally open contacts |40 of the limit switch F.

Power lines L1, La and La are connected to the carriage by a plug |42 and flexible cable |44 (Fig. 4) supported by runners |46 from a wire |48 above the carriage. Near the center of the table 4;' the cable |44 is brought down to the table and run along the side thereof to a power inlet |50. A plurality of button switches |52 are provided alon'g the table for stopping the machine from different points irrespective of the location of the machine.

In operation, when the power is connected at inlet |50 and the plug |42 is inserted into its socket, the carriage stands idle with the brake applied until material is passed between strip 10 and cooperating feeler contact 12 of the feeler switch 62. When feeler switch 62 is closed, relay B is energized from power line L3, heater switch 80,- wires 19 and 18 tothe winding of relay B, through feeler switch 62 and normally closed contacts of cut-out switch 64 (plunger 68 being in its lowermost position)', wires 89 and 90 to power line L2. With relay B energized, the circuit of relay A. and consequently of both magnetic switches C and D as well, is open as is that of coil 6| of the brake, which latter circuit is from power line L1 through wires |54 and |56, coil6|, wire |58, armature |60 and back contacts of relay B, wires |62 and |64 to power line La. With the machine in this condition, a signal lamp |66 is lighted and any suitable audible signal given by an annunciator |68 in parallel therewith; the circuit of annunciator |68 and of lamp |66 being energized from a transformer |10 connected to power lines L3 and 1.a through armature |12 and normally open front contacts of relay B. A pilot lamp |13 connected across the lines L1 and L2 is always lighted when power is supplied to the machine.

If now the feeler switch 62 is opened, either manually or by the passage of material between the contacts thereof, relay B and the transformer circuit connected through the front contacts thereof become de-energized and the brake is released by closure of the circuit of coil 6| through armature |60 and the back contacts of relay B. The operator thereupon draws the material over bar 20 and between the two pair of guide rolls 22 and 24 and weights the end thereof or otherwise secures it against movement along the table. The push button Start is then momentarily pressed to energize relay A and to close the stick circuit therefor and then either the Forward or Reverse button is pushed depending upon the direction of travel desired. Assume the Reverse button is pressed and that the direction of travel is to the right in Fig. 1 vwhich corresponds to movement toward the left in Fig. 4. The carriage approaches the end of the table, roller ||6 of the limit switch E rides up on cam surface 56 and roller 36 rides upon cam surface 38. The momentary throwing of limit switch E opens the circuit of the reverse magnetic switch D, which thereupon stays open because of the opening of its stick circuit, and closes the circuit ofA forward magnetic switch C which thereupon remains closed through its stick circuit. The direction of current through the coils of motor 48 being thus reversed, the carriage starts back along the table. The riding of roller 36 upon cam surface 38 raises plunger 68 which opens cut-out switch 64 and closes switch 66. The opening of switch 64 insures that relay B will remain de-energized irrespective of whether or not the material runs out and the closure of switch 66, which bridges the top coni controlled thereby are de-energized.

tacts 86 of the Stop switch, prevents the stopping of the motor through deenergizatlon of relay A. These safety switches 64 and 66 are provided to prevent undue jarring of the machine at the end of the travel and opening of the circuits of relay A during reversal of the motor. Should the cloth be exhausted while the machine is at one end or the other of the table, the feeler contact switch 62, will close and remain closed and switch 64 will close as soon as the roller descends from the cam surface 38. This energizes relay B, applies the brake and lights lamp |66. The operator thereupon replenishes the material and presses the Start and Forward push buttons. 'I'he carriage then continues to lay the material, traveling backward and forward along the table until again stopped by reason of the exhaustion of the material or because of the operator pressing the Stop button or any of the switches |52 along the table. When the Stop button is pressed the braise is not applied but relay A and the magnetic switches When any switch |52 is pushed, the brake is applied only so long as the switch is held open. 'Ihis is a desirable feature as it permits the operator to move the carriage by hand to any point he desires after it has been stopped.

yAs will be apparent from the above description, the machine, once it is started, needs no attention from the operator until the particular bolt of material being laid is used up. The box |6 is large enough to hold a large number of bolts of material. Due to the provision of the relatively high side wall |1 of the box, it is only necessary when the box is being filled to place the side edge of the material against the wall I1. This insuresproper alignment of the edges of the superposed layers of material when laid, as the box when placed in the carriage is positioned with its side wall aligned with the guide shoulder |14 on bar 20. Preferably two boxes ,|6 are provided so that the operator can be filling one box while the other is in use on the machine. A pair of arms |16, which are preferably so mounted as to be swung down out of position when not in use, are provided for holding material when it is in rolls. The box I6 is then advantageously used for carrying additional rolls for ready replenishing of the machine at any point along the table.

The invention has now been described with reference to the embodiment thereof illustrated in Figs. l through 6. It will be noted that practically all of the control mechanism, except the push button switches is mounted substantially as a unit on panel 54. Another and more compact arrangement of the control mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. In these figures the wiring connections and various unimportant structural details have been omitted for simplicity, and the various elements corresponding to elements already described in connection with Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive bear the same reference characters. As shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the control mechanism, including the magnetic switches C and D, the overload heaters with reset button 80, relays A and B, the transformer, annunciator, brake, motor and reducing unit, is supported by the front cross bar 6 of the carriage2 and the cross bar 29 in advance of the box I6. The feeler contact switch cooperates with guide rolls 22 instead of with cross bar 20. The wheels |2 are driven from the drive shaft 59 by means of chains 52 and sprockets mounted on the wheels I2. The manually operable push buttons for stopping and starting the mechanism are mounted on the panel 58 as in the learlier described embodiment of the invention and the limit switches E and F are secured to panel 8 on the other side of the machine. The cut-out switches 64 and 6B operate as in Figs. 1 to 6 and are shown at the left of the machine in Fig. 7. It will be understood that the electrical connections between the various elements is the same as that already described as is also the operation of the machine. This arrangement permits of ready application of the control unit to machines heretofore operated manually, and distributes the Weight of the additional elements more uniformly across the carriage than is the case with the earlier described arrangement.

'I'he improved cloth laying machine of the invention has now been described and two diiierent arrangements of the control mechanism have been illustrated. It willv be apparent from the description that the new machine will conserve time and labor, will lay cloth more eillciently because ofthe more accurate alignment of the edges of the superposed layers, Iand will be entirely safe in operation. Improved machines of the invention, automatically, accurately and rapidly lay hundreds of layers of material without requiring any attention from the operator except when the length of material being laid is exhausted, at which time a signal is given and the carriage stops at the point where the material ceased to be fed. 'I'his construction enables one worker to tend and operate two or more machines simultaneously.

The following is claimed:

1. A `control mechanism for cloth laying machines of the type having a carriage carrying cloth to be laid and movable along a iixed runway, the carriage cooperating at either end of its travel withv cloth holding means mounted on the runway, said mechanism including a reversible driving means on said carriage, an electric circuit controlling said driving means, manually operable switches in said circuit for starting said driving means for movement of the carriage and for stopping said driving means, said driving -means, switches and circuit being arranged to permit starting of the carriage in either direction irrespective of the position of the carriage along the runway, automatic reversing means carried by said carriage and xed means at opposite ends of said runway cooperating therewith for automatically reversing the direction of movement of said carriage when the carriage reaches either end of the runway.

2. Control mechanism according to claim 1 including cloth feeding meansl and means responsive to the passage of cloth through said feeding means for automatically stopping said driving means when the cloth ceases to pass therethrough, switch means carried on-said carriage and cooperating means Aaty either end of said runway for rendering said cloth responsive means inoperative while said carriage is within a predetermined distance from either end of the runway.

3. In a-cloth laying machine of the type including a carriage movable back and forth along a. runway, the combination including an open topped container having a iiat bottom and open at one side, and a guide cross bar on said carriage having a guide shoulder thereon,'said contalner being removably supported on said carriage and slidable transversely thereof to bring its sidewall in alignment with saidA shoulder whereby when material is placed in said container with the side edge of the material along said side wall, the edges of the material when laid will be in alignment.

4. A control unit for cloth laying machines of the type having a carriage movable along a fixed runway, including in combination, a reversible electric motor for driving said carriage, a pair of magnetic switches for controlling the direction of operation of said motor and the supply of current thereto, a normally energized relay controlling the circuits of said magnetic switches and preparing the same for closure, a pair of manually operable stop and start switches for opening and closing the circuit of said relay,

a second pair of manually operable switches for completing the circuits of one or the other of said magnetic switches after said relay has been energized, and automatic switch means operable when the carriage reaches either end of the runway to reverse the direction of operation of said motor by opening the circuit of one of said magnetic switches and closing the circuit of the other magnetic switch.

5. The control unit according to claim 4 including a normally deenergized relay, a feeler contact switch controlling said last mentioned relay and causing the energization thereof when thev carriage ceases to lay cloth, the circuit of said normally energized relay including back contacts of said normally deenergized relay whereby the closing oi the feeler contact switch causes opening of the circuits of the magnetic switches and consequent opening of the motor circuit.

6. 'I'he control unit according to claim 4 including a normally deenergized relay, a feeler contact switch controlling said last mentioned relay and causing the energization thereof when the carriage ceases to lay cloth, the circuit of said normally energized relay including back contacts of said normally deenergized relay whereby the closing of the feeler contact switch causes opening of the circuits of the magnetic switches and consequent opening of the motor circuit, said motor, magnetic switches, both of said relays and the movable member of said feeler switch being all removably mounted crosswise of the carriage and said manually operable switches being mounted on one side of said carriage for convenient access thereto.

7. The control unit according to claim 4 including a second relay controlling over back contacts the circuit of the ilrst mentioned relay, a feelerl contact switch for closing the circuit of said last mentioned relay when the carriage ceases to lay cloth, and means operable while the carriage is within a predetermined distance from either end of the runway for preventing `closure of the circuit of said last mentioned relay whereby the machine continues to operate while within such distance from either end of the runway irrespective of whether or not cloth is being laid.

8. The control unit according to claim 4 including a normally open switch connected across the manual stop switch of the relay circuit, and means operable while the carriage is within a predetermined distance from either end of the runway for closing said normally open switch to maintain the relay energized independently of said manual stop switch.

9. A control unit for cloth laying machines of the type having a carriage movable back and forth over a runway, comprising in combination,

auasu reversible electric driving mechanism for said carriage,- an electric circuit controlling said mechanism, manually operable switches in said circuit and mounted on said carriage for energizing and deenergizing said mechanism for starting and stopping the carriage, said mechanism, switches and circuit being arranged to permit starting of. the carriage in either direction irrespective of the position of the carriage along the runway', automatic switch means carried by said carriage and xed means at opposite ends of said runway cooperating therewith for automatically reversing Asaid mechanism to change the direction of movement of said carriage when the carriage reaches either end of the runway, remote manually-operable switches along said runway for deenergizing said mechanism and an electric brake normally held ininoperative position independently 4oi! the manual switches on said carriage but operable to cause a brake applicationvwhen the circuit of said mechanism is deenergized byV any one of said remote switches.

10. In a cloth laying machine, the combination comprising a carriage, a runway for the carriage having cloth gripping means at opposite ends thereof, a at bottomed container on said 'carriage for holding'cloth to be laid and slidable transversely of the carriage for aligning the edge of the cloth, cloth feeding means on said carriage for delivering cloth from said container on to said runway, automatic means for driving said carriage in either direction, means carried on said carriage and cooperating means at opposite ends of. said runway for automatically revers- 11. A machine according to claim 10 including means carried by said carriage and operable when the carriage is within a predetermined distance from either end of the runway for rendering said cloth feeding responsive means inoperative when the carriage is within said predetermined distance. v

12. A machine according to claim 10 including means operable when the carriage is within a predetermined distance from either end of said runway for rendering inoperative said manual `stopping means on the carriage.

13. The machine according to claim 10 includingl braking means carried by said carriage normally held in inoperative position independently of the manual stopping means on the carfeeding means for automatically stopping said driving means when the cloth ceases to pass therethrough, switch means carried on said carriage and cooperating means at either end of said runway for rendering saidv cloth responsive means inoperative while said carriage is within a predetermined distance from either end oi' the runway. Y

l5. A control unit for machines of the type having a carriage movable along a ilxed runway, including in combination, a reversible electric motor for driving saidcarriage, a pair of magnetic switches for controlling the direction of\ operation of said motor and the supply oi current thereto, a normally energized relay controlling the circuits of said magnetic switches and preparing the same for closure, a pair of manually operable stop and start switches for opening and closing the circuit of said relay, a second pair of manually operable switches i'or completing vthe circuits of one or the other of said magnetic switches after said relay has been energized, and automatic switch means operable when the carriage reaches either end of the runway to reverse the direction of operation of said motor by opening the circuit o! one of said magnetic switches and closingthe circuit of the other magnetic switch, said motor, magnetic switches and both of said relays being all removably mounted crosswise of the carriage and said manually operable switches being mounted on one side of said carriage for convenient access thereto. v

IRVING KRASSNER. 

